LOUISVILLE, Ky., (WDRB) -- Kentucky's first blind judge will retire next month after nearly a decade on the bench.

Jefferson District Court Judge David Holton, who lost his vision at the age of 10 due to a brain tumor, is widely known and respected around the courthouse and city, a constant presence walking with his black Labrador retriever.

Holton, who also has announced high school football games despite not being able to view the action, is leaving the bench on Sept. 30 to work in private practice and perhaps run for office at some point.

"My public service is not completed," he said. "It's been a good ride and I've enjoyed it. I'm ready for a new challenge."

Asked if he was thinking of running for any particular office, Holton demurred and said it would be unethical to talk about while he is still serving as a judge.

Holton is known for being Jefferson County's first Veterans Court judge and halting the controversial practice of routinely handcuffing and chaining children who appear in juvenile court. He was chief district judge in 2015 and 2016.

He said he hopes his legacy will help others without sight get a chance to serve on the bench.

"Hopefully I've performed in such a manner that will allow those who follow me to have the same opportunity," he said in an interview Tuesday.

Chief Justice John Minton posted Holton's vacancy this week asking attorneys interested in filling Holton's spot until the next election to contact the state's Judicial Nominating Commission by Aug. 10.

Holton first took the bench in 2008 and was re-elected without opposition in 2010 and 2014.

Others in the press box, working their binoculars to get the details correct on every play, relay the information to Holton as quickly as possible. He even called a KHSAA championship game at Western Kentucky.

"I've sent word … that I'm willing to go back in the press box," he said.

As part of seeking evidence in Landan's defamation lawsuit against women who accused him of rape and sexual assault on Facebook, attorney Andrew Horne has filed requests for information from the initial accuser.

As part of seeking evidence in Landan's defamation lawsuit against women who accused him of rape and sexual assault on Facebook, attorney Andrew Horne has filed requests for information from the initial accuser.

“I think it’s unfortunate because in many cases the only way the public knows what’s going on in a criminal prosecution, which often ends up in a plea agreement or settlement, is the discovery filed in court,” said prominent First-Amendment attorney Jon Fleischaker, who represents WDRB. “This will add to the lack of information the public has about the criminal justice process.”

“I think it’s unfortunate because in many cases the only way the public knows what’s going on in a criminal prosecution, which often ends up in a plea agreement or settlement, is the discovery filed in court,” said prominent First-Amendment attorney Jon Fleischaker, who represents WDRB. “This will add to the lack of information the public has about the criminal justice process.”

On Monday, Judge Cunningham filed a notice of disqualification, potentially removing himself from the case because his impartiality "might reasonably be questioned." However, the judge ultimately left it up to prosecutors and defense attorneys to decide whether he should recuse. Both sides filed a response saying the attorneys had no objection to Cunningham presiding over the case.

On Monday, Judge Cunningham filed a notice of disqualification, potentially removing himself from the case because his impartiality "might reasonably be questioned." However, the judge ultimately left it up to prosecutors and defense attorneys to decide whether he should recuse. Both sides filed a response saying the attorneys had no objection to Cunningham presiding over the case.

The video allegedly shows staffers eating Gynnya’s food, leaving her lying in the same position for 10 hours without doing a close examination to see if she was Ok and failing to immediately provide CPR when they learned she was not breathing.

The video allegedly shows staffers eating Gynnya’s food, leaving her lying in the same position for 10 hours without doing a close examination to see if she was Ok and failing to immediately provide CPR when they learned she was not breathing.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Leroy Phillip Mitchell, known as Prince Phillip Mitchell, in U.S. District Court in Louisville this week, alleges both artists included "extensive sampling" of Mitchell's song in their work.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Leroy Phillip Mitchell, known as Prince Phillip Mitchell, in U.S. District Court in Louisville this week, alleges both artists included "extensive sampling" of Mitchell's song in their work.